Category: Community

S&A was delighted to have Dan Braden and the students from the Brattleboro Union High School STEM program visit our studios to learn more about careers in Architecture & Engineering and the recently completed Snow Block project.

Improving the community in more ways than one, Bread Loaf Corp. offers construction workers at the Putnam Block project site training sessions in a makeshift classroom. Workers are developing a greater literacy with architectural, structural and other types of drawings used in construction projects.

Thank you Leland and Gray Union Middle School for the opportunity to mentor 7th and 8th grade physical science class students preparing for the upcoming Battle Physics Challenge and Tournament. Brud Sanderson, PE and Principal at S&A has enjoyed evaluating the students’ process and looks forward to reviewing their project. Good Luck!

Bob Stevens is looking forward to the Radically Rural Summit in Keene, NH on Sept. 27th & 28th. He will join rural leaders, founders, and trailblazers as they come together for a two-day summit to learn, connect, collaborate, and lead change to create vibrant and robust rural communities.

This event features five program tracks including three programs per track over the course of two days, as well as keynote opening and closing speeches, and the popular CONNECT event on Thursday night. As a panelist for the Historic Buildings as a Downtown Catalyst for Vibrancy session, Bob will focus on the Putnam Block Revitalization project, Bennington, VT.

Join Bob Stevens and register for “Making It Happen!” Local Leadership for the Future of Vermont Communities on Oct. 1st at Castleton University. Vermont communities thrive with local leaders getting big things done – share success stories, gain new skills, and think together about supporting strong leaders across Vermont.

Congratulations to Windham Windsor Housing Trust and everyone involved in the Great River Terrace ‘neighborhood’ project located in north Brattleboro. S&A is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the first permanent supportive housing project in southern Vermont.

SEON is proud to recognize three of its members that are involved in theGreat River Terrace project in Brattleboro: Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, Stevens & Associates, PC (architects) and GPI Construction.

The Brattleboro Area Middle School (BAMS) invited professionals from Stevens & Associates, P.C. (S&A) to connect with 8th grade students participating in the Technology & Design exploratory program. In light of recent natural disasters and the refugee crisis, the students were challenged to consider the question: How might we design safe and sustainable shelters for displaced families to live well? Students used the design thinking process to imagine, plan and create their projects to address issues such as: flooding, access to safe drinking water, excessive heat and safety. Throughout the process, students practiced their problem-solving skills using everyday materials and continuously improved upon their designs. After the models were completed, the students hosted a Shelter Design Showcase sharing their designs and experiences with peers, school staff and community members.

The architects and engineers from S&A were very impressed by each student’s display and enjoyed meeting them to evaluate the structures. Diane Abate, an architect at S&A stated, “Students took into account real-life environmental, social and economic challenges as they thought about what materials to use, what renewable or reusable resources were available, and considered how and where their structures would be built.” While engaging with the students, the S&A team encouraged each one to embrace design difficulties and explore options leading to alternative solutions. One student reflected, “When I started I was just going to use a regular flat roof, but then I realized water would just build up on the roof. I created a dome shape top to drain the water off of the house, so the roof does not cave in.”

S&A believes in the value of relationship building with local schools and supports STEM programs that introduce science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to students. BAMS Technical Education Teacher, Daisy Frederick is looking forward to continuing this important connection and even expanding the experience for next semester. “I am truly inspired by the creativity and imagination of my students and am so excited to be able to expose them to career opportunities in our local community,” Frederick explained. In addition to evaluating and discussing each student’s model, the architects and engineers answered questions and shared stories about their own educational and professional journey.

S&A recognizes the value of relationship building with local schools and supports STEM programs that introduce science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to students. The staff at S&A is proud to dedicate time and offer the Career Shadowing Program to students considering a career in the disciplines of architecture, civil & structural engineering, as well as landscape architecture and design.

Vermont Public Radio recently aired an interesting interview highlighting Urban Planning, Walkable Downtowns and the Community of Brattleboro. The program focused on a new book titled, Within Walking Distance: Creating Livable Communities for All by Philip Landgon which features Brattleboro, VT as one of six cities profiled.

The staff at Stevens & Associates is proud to volunteer at the Sophomore Career Summit on April 26th, and offer students an opportunity to attend workshops focused on careers in engineering and architecture. This event will host approximately 300 students from Windham County.

On April 11th, a team of professionals from Stevens & Associates including four graduates of Brattleboro Union High School participated in a BUHS Careers in Architecture & Engineering panel discussion. The team enjoyed sharing their stories with students and will continue discussions during a BUHS tour of the S&A offices and studios located in downtown Brattleboro, VT.

Stevens & Associates is always grateful and excited for the opportunity to volunteer and support local STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs. For more information about the BUHS – STEM Academy click HERE.

On Wednesday, March 15th Stevens & Associates and M&S Development will attend the DevelopSpringfield annual event focused on Celebrating the Advancements of Today; Supporting the Economic Growth of Tomorrow; and Committing to The Future of our City.

For more information on this event and the work of DevelopSpringfield, please click HERE.

Bob Stevens, a principal for M&S Development is excited to work with the Bennington Redevelopment Group LLC on the Putnum Block Redevelopment project. Read more about this exciting downtown revitalization effort in Business View Magazine.

M&S Development principals, Bob Stevens and Craig Miskovich, would like to thank DevelopSpringfield for sponsoring the M&S Development presentation, “Financing Projects That Don’t Pencil Out”. Bob & Craig met with community-focused leaders and businesses in Springfield, MA.

Stevens & Associates welcomes Bob Crego to their team as a Project Manager for Development. Crego brings with him over 25 years of professional experience in the community development field, largely as an affordable housing developer. In addition to his role as the founding director for Valley Cares, Inc. in Townshend, VT, Crego’s past experience includes organizational and project development, financing management, grant writing, and business planning. He is currently working on several projects in development, including the redevelopment of a four-acre block of land and historic building at the Four Corners in Bennington. Known as the Putnam Block Redevelopment, the project would consist of mixed use downtown space with offices, retail, and apartments.

The professionals at S&A enjoyed a career shadowing day with Brattleboro Union High School student, Nathaniel Tyler. Tyler received an interactive learning experience with architectural designers and engineers. We wish Tyler ‘good luck’ with his future academic and career endeavors.